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if you can, keep the lights off for the first few days, it will calm them down. but other than that tbs are super resilient fish and they should be fine. you might want to add another 6 or so when you can. the bigger the school the less problems you will have

KING OF THE GOLD BARBS RAWR!!!!I wonder if i plant one of my tiger barbs would the demon seed grow to a full tree?gotta love them bunnies! I.R.S.: We've got what it takes to take what you've got!

wow? wont that overcrowd my tank?
I already have a 4-5 inch Rainbow shark
I mean, I doubt all my barbs will survive the stress and whatever can happen when in a new environment (I always end up losing a couple when I buy fishes -_-;) even with being careful.

I would not add any other species to what you have, in a 32g tank. The reason genocidex suggested adding a few more is the3 inherent behaviour of this species (Tiger Barb). They can tend to get nippy with each other in small groups. Most sources now suggest no fewer than 8, with 12+ being safer. A 30g tank is minimum for this group, with no other species. However, if you do add more, do it sooner rather than later. Once the existing fish have settled in and formed their heirarchy within the group of 8, new additions might not be so welcome.

Which brings me to the shark. I would think it will be OK, but there is the slight chance that it might take a dislike to the barbs. But if not, fine.

Byron.

Byron Hosking, BMus, MA
Vancouver, BC, Canada

Something we all need to remember: The fish you've acquired was quite happy not being owned by you, minding its own business. If you’re going to take it under your wing then you’re responsible for it. Every aspect of its life is under your control, from water quality and temperature to swimming space. [Nathan Hill in PFK]

yea the shark was there long before the barbs.
should I get barbs soon so they settle a hierarchy? I don't mind getting 4 mores and making the group the ''center piece'' either.

So far, Sharky stays in his cave, but that's not new. I haven't seen him harass anyone so far. But I only put them yesterday evening, and I work during the day. My roommate told me they were all alive, active and sharky didn't go out yet.

Should I feed them twice a day? once a day? I usually fed him once every two days, once a day he just left the food there and it made gross little balls.

I might check if I need to feed him more ''sinking'' food now as the barbs are so veracious (I love it!) but he wont get much o.0;

yea the shark was there long before the barbs.
should I get barbs soon so they settle a hierarchy? I don't mind getting 4 mores and making the group the ''center piece'' either.

So far, Sharky stays in his cave, but that's not new. I haven't seen him harass anyone so far. But I only put them yesterday evening, and I work during the day. My roommate told me they were all alive, active and sharky didn't go out yet.

Should I feed them twice a day? once a day? I usually fed him once every two days, once a day he just left the food there and it made gross little balls.

I might check if I need to feed him more ''sinking'' food now as the barbs are so veracious (I love it!) but he wont get much o.0;

I would add the additional barbs now.

Feeding once a day is sufficient for the barbs when settled, and you can skip water change day (fish should not be fed prior to any disruption in the tank). As for the shark, sinking foods are fine. If the barb eat this before the shark can, feed the sinking food well after darkness.

Byron.

Byron Hosking, BMus, MA
Vancouver, BC, Canada

Something we all need to remember: The fish you've acquired was quite happy not being owned by you, minding its own business. If you’re going to take it under your wing then you’re responsible for it. Every aspect of its life is under your control, from water quality and temperature to swimming space. [Nathan Hill in PFK]

i wouldnt add any more atm. you will be dealing with a small ammonia spike as is. in 2/3 weeks would be fine. adding another minumal school will help the barbs settle in. what are the dimensions on this tank? 32g isnt too common is all im saying.

for 33g long (im hoping thats the case :P) then 16 tbs wouldnt be unheard of. and that should leave room for another few if you want. TBs can be demon fish if the school is not kept big enough. with a school of 16 i cant see too much of a problem with adding a center piece fish later on, if its the right one. fish that wont work ime gouramis, and angels. those fins would be prime subjects for nippage.

but my advice might change depending on the dimensions of your tank

KING OF THE GOLD BARBS RAWR!!!!I wonder if i plant one of my tiger barbs would the demon seed grow to a full tree?gotta love them bunnies! I.R.S.: We've got what it takes to take what you've got!

It's not the biggest tank I know, but as I said, I'm trying to set that one, make it stable, then maybe get a bigger one. I do have a spot in my living room that would welcome a larger tank, but I need to setup the living room it self before that or I'll get too much sunlight

For now the only thing that's nice about the location of my current tank is that its somewhere where there isn't much sun light, (behind a small walk nook) so no crazy algae